This week in GO! Magazine’s music section

Friday, June 4th, 2010, 8:00 am by Ben Salmon

Portland-based hip-hop/magic/comedy band Chicharones are headlining the big “Madhappy Freak Show” at the Domino Room Saturday night. I spoke with band principals Josh Martinez and Sleep, who aren’t your average MCs, that’s for sure. For example:

“We’re bringing … exploding cigarettes and a bunch of other random things that we’ve brought together,” said one half of the Chicharones, Josh Martinez, in a telephone interview last week.

“Now we levitate Josh on stage,” chimed in Martinez’s partner, the MC known as Sleep. “Which is pretty awesome.”

Martinez and Sleep are both Northwest-based rappers and musicians who, for the past several years, were better known for their brainy solo work than their joint venture.

That’s changing, though.

Since Martinez moved to Portland a few years ago, Chicharones’ vaudevillian take on hip-hop has gained the duo a higher profile, bigger crowds and more opportunities. And that means more money.

Which means — what else? — buying more magic tricks!

Both these guys were great interviews, and I’m truly stoked to see them perform Saturday. The whole night — which features locals Jukebot, Mindscape and Capture the Flag — is going to be fun, and I hope you’ll read my whole article by clicking here.

(Perhaps the highlight of Sunday’s Band of Horses show in Bend. Video by buckluther.)

For the first time in 2010, Feedback traveled to Les Schwab Amphitheater to see She & Him and Band of Horses. The former was boring, but the latter was great. Here’s a bit of my review:

New tunes “Compliments” and “Laredo” provided a taste of “Infinite Arms,” and were followed by “No One’s Gonna Love You,” a beautiful older song that struck me in a new way. Looking back, I’m surprised it wasn’t a huge hit thanks to its soaring chorus and some shrewd placement in a romantic comedy film.

The highlight of the night, though, came during “Monsters,” when some serendipitous soul let fly with fireworks across the Deschutes River. They first caught the attention of the crowd, and then (Band of Horses frontman Ben) Bridwell, who was visibly stoked to see them, shouting “Keep doing that, please!” Which they did. For a couple of minutes, the fireworks flashed and boomed and fell glistening to the ground, while “Monsters” loped to its crescendoing chorus and then faded into the night air as Bridwell bowed to the east, pressing his hands together in thanks.

Also in this week’s music section: pop-rock singer-songwriter Tyrone Wells is at The Annex tonight, and burly, bearded folk singer The White Buffalo returns to Silver Moon Brewing on Saturday. And there’s always more in The Bulletin’s complete music listings.

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